Member Article

Double success for Yorkshire companies at the Cast Metals Industry Awards

A leading supplier of safety-critical steel components and a Kirkbymoorside lost wax metal casting specialist have been named as the ‘Best of British Casting’ at the recent UK Cast Metals Industry Awards.

Sheffield-headquartered William Cook Holdings beat off the challenge of the other finalists to secure the ‘Company of the Year’ title, whilst Sylatech’s innovativee aluminium prosthetic thumb impressed judges to land the ‘Component of the Year’ accolade.

The latter has helped bring a product to market that will help young people who have lost a hand due to injury, congenital conditions or for other medical reasons.

Designed by prosthetic hand designer Ted Varley, the thumb required a high level of detail and an as-cast surface finish with no machining.

With wall thicknesses down to 2mm for some cast elements and 1mm diameter cast-in holes, Sylatech used 3D wax printing to optimise the design flexibility. Samples were provided to the client within three weeks of the order being placed, with significant cost savings also achieved. “The innovation and resilience of the foundry industry never ceases to amaze me, and this year’s award winners typify exactly what makes the UK great,” explained Dr Pam Murrell, Chief Executive of the Cast Metals Federation (CMF).

“We had businesses investing, we had companies diversifying and we had firms using new technologies to help designers bring products to market that will positively change lives for hundreds of children.”

The UK Cast Metals Industry Awards, which attracted nearly 200 guests, focused on the great castings being manufactured in metal by UK foundries, and their huge achievements in innovation, growth, and component performance.

Co-presented by Dr Pam Murrell and comedian Geoff Norcott, the evening clearly showcased the successes of the sector and its evolving impact on UK manufacturing.

This was typified by the Company of the Year, with William Cook Holdings securing landmark rail contract wins, supporting the war effort in Ukraine, and delivering a £5m investment programme that has reinforced its position in the nuclear power supply chain.

The group also stepped in to protect vital foundry skills when it saved 75 jobs by acquiring HI Quality Steel Castings of Chesterfield out of administration.

Pam concluded: “The commitment to problem solving and providing solutions to customers remains within our industry, making all the components upon which a modern economy depends. “Our sector can be part of the solution to growth for the UK. And remember – metal recycles forever.” Organised by the Cast Metals Federation, there was also a major accolade for Tamworth-based Foseco, who won the final Innovation Award.

For further information, please visit www.castmetalsfederation.com

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Russ Cockburn .